Bipartisan House Bill Pushes to End U.S. Intervention in Yemen
US lawmakers have introduced a measure to end all American involvement in the war in Yemen, where Washington has heavily backed a Saudi-led military coalition despite repeated charges of indiscriminate civilian bombings for years on end.
Led by Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Peter DeFazio and Adam Schiff alongside South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace, the Yemen War Powers Resolution was introduced in the House on Wednesday.
The third attempt to pass the legislation since the conflict erupted in 2015, the bill has accrued nearly 50 co-sponsors, including progressive Democrat Ilhan Omar and libertarian-leaning Republican Thomas Massie.
“Consistent with virtually identical provisions the House has adopted for three consecutive years.
This new resolution would put an end to US military participation in offensive air strikes that are operationally essential to the Saudi-led military campaign,” lawmakers said in a press release announcing the move.
Specifically, the measure seeks to “end US intelligence sharing that enables offensive Saudi-led coalition strikes,” as well as logistics support and maintenance for coalition warplanes.
It would also bar all American personnel “from being assigned to command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or accompany Saudi-led coalition forces” without the express authorization of Congress.
Senator Bernie Sanders plans to introduce companion legislation in the upper chamber sometime next week.
